Vertical display of elongated products

ABSTRACT

Elongated products such as bottles, cans, candy bar packages and the like are displayed horizontally in a display assembly which supports the products in a vertically stacked arrangement. The display assembly is formed by a back panel and end panel which support horizontally disposed shelves vertically spaced from each other to define a plurality of horizontally disposed compartments with one open end. The shelves are supported adjacent a transparent wall so that product supported by the shelves is displayed through the wall. Advertising material may be displayed on the opposite side of the transparent wall.

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/133,556 filed Aug. 13, 1998 entitled Vertical Display of Elongated Products.

[0002] This invention relates to display of elongated products and product containers such as candy bar packages, bottles, cans and the like. More particularly, it relates to display racks or shelves adapted for mounting on or near one face of a wall to support the products on the wall and display the products through a transparent wall in a vertically stacked arrangement.

[0003] Retail businesses commonly display chilled products for sale in refrigerated vaults or the like which have a transparent door or wall panel. Because a passing customer is more likely to select and purchase products displayed where they can be readily seen and recognized, the retailer desires to maximize visibility of products on display and also to maximize utilization of space within the refrigerated area.

[0004] Many products are elongated or packaged in elongated containers such as cylindrical bottles, cans and the like or orthogonal packages such as candy bars, etc. To promote sales of such products, they should be arranged within the refrigerated compartment to permit unobstructed view of the displayed products as well as display advertising or the like related to the displayed products. When such products are suspended on the inside of a door or the like of a refrigerated compartment, they should also be arranged to permit unobstructed view of other products in the refrigerated compartment as well.

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, display shelves are supported in a vertically arranged rack adapted to be mounted on one face of a substantially transparent wall such as a glass window or door. The shelves are horizontally disposed and arranged vertically to display a plurality of products in a vertical stack. The display rack of the invention finds particular utility when mounted in a refrigerated vault or the like to display products through a transparent wall or door of the vault. However, the display rack may be used in conjunction with any wall, window, door or the like, whether or not transparent.

[0006] In the preferred embodiment, the display rack of the invention comprises a back panel having a face lying in a substantially vertical plane which defines a lower edge and first and second laterally opposed end edges and an end panel lying in a substantially vertical plane substantially normal to and intersecting the vertical plane of the back panel. A plurality of substantially horizontally disposed shelves are supported adjacent (or formed in) the back panel and the end panel. The shelves are arranged vertically from and substantially parallel with each other. The display rack is adapted to be supported adjacent a face of a transparent wall so that the shelves are disposed between the transparent wall and the back panel to define a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically arranged compartments having one open end. The opposite end is effectively closed by the end panel.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment the display rack is supported on the inside face of a substantially transparent wall, such as a glass door or the like, with the back panel parallel with but spaced from the inside face of the transparent wall and the shelves disposed between the wall and the back panel. When the display rack is mounted on a door which pivots about a vertical axis, the end panel is oriented toward the pivoting axis to ensure that products displayed in the rack are not accidentally removed from the rack by opening and closing the door.

[0008] Since the rack supports product on shelves adjacent the face of a transparent wall, the product is readily visible from outside the compartment or vault. By arranging the shelves vertically, a plurality of elongated products may be readily displayed in a relatively thin layer of space. Advertising or graphics displayed on the product or package is readily visible through the supporting wall and additional advertising, if desired, may be positioned on the outside face of the supporting wall. The vertical rack may be positioned near either vertical edge of the transparent wall (or at any other location) to display products in a location which does not obstruct viewing of other products contained within the vault. Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the appended claims and attached drawing in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the assembly of a vertical display rack supported on the transparent door of a refrigerated vault to display products in a vertical arrangement in accordance with the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a vertical display rack of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a vertical display rack of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vertical display rack of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an end view of the rack of FIG. 3; and

[0014]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the assembly of a rack as shown in FIG. 3 supported on the transparent door of a refrigerated vault.

[0015] Throughout the several views of the drawing like numerals are used to indicate like parts. The drawing figures are not to scale but are intended to disclose the inventive concepts by illustration and are incorporated herein to illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawing should not be construed as limiting the invention to the illustrated and described embodiments.

[0016] In FIG. 1 the invention is illustrated as a rack 20 supported on the inside face of a transparent door 10 supported by hinges 11 on a wall 12 of a compartment such as a refrigerated vault or the like. It will be readily appreciated that the invention is not limited to use on a door to a refrigerated vault. The principles of the invention are equally applicable when a rack such as rack 20 is supported adjacent any substantially transparent wall such as a window, door or the like whether or not the transparent wall is moveable. In certain embodiments, the wall need not be transparent.

[0017] The rack 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A comprises a back panel 21 which has a first face 22 and a bottom edge. Back panel 21 is arranged so that first face 22 lies in a plane substantially parallel with the transparent wall 10 and defines oppositely disposed vertically extending first and second edges 23, 24. An end panel 25 is supported and arranged in a plane normal to the vertical plane of vertical first face 22. Shelves 26 are arranged vertically spaced from each other and extending from the first face 22 of back panel 21 and the inside face of end panel 25 to define a plurality of compartments 29 which extend horizontally and have one end closed by end panel 25.

[0018] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A the rack 20 is formed as a unitary body by injection molding or the like. Accordingly, back panel 21, end panel 25 and shelves 26 are formed as integral parts of a monolithic unit. However, it will be readily recognized that rack 20 may be formed by individual components either attached to each other or spaced from each other to define horizontally extending compartments 29.

[0019] In FIGS. 2 and 2A the top and bottom shelves 26 include vertically extending flanges 27 which have slots or holes 28 therein. The slots 28 may be used to mount the rack 20 on a vertical wall by use of suction cups 50 or the like as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the rack may be secured to a wall by other means such as adhesives or the like or, where the wall or door 10 is appropriately constructed, by screws, bolts or the like.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1 the rack 20 may be supported on the inside surface of transparent door 10 so that the inside surface of the door 10 forms a wall of each compartment 29 and each compartment 29 is arranged so that graphics 41 or advertising material displayed on the displayed product or container 40 is readily visible through the transparent door 10. Thus the product itself serves as a vertically arranged display positioned within a refrigerated vault or the like which is immediately visible and available for removal and purchase. The product 40 may take any form such as bottles, cans, packaged candy bars and the like. The size and shape of the shelves 26 may be modified to accommodate either a single item (such as a can or bottle) or multiple items (such as substantially flat, individually wrapped or packaged candy bars and the like) in each compartment 29.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment, rack 20 is formed of transparent acrylic or the like. Any suitable material, however, may be used.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 the rack 20 is mounted on the inside face of a substantially transparent door 10 to a refrigerated vault. However, it will be readily recognized that the rack 20 may be mounted in the same manner on the outside or inside face of any wall. Where the wall on which the rack is mounted separates a refrigerated compartment from ambient environment, the rack 20 may be mounted on the outside face of the wall so that the compartments 29 formed by the rack 20 and the wall 10 are outside the refrigerated compartment. Although not directly chilled by being placed inside the refrigerated compartment, product positioned in compartments 29 on the outside face of such wall will be somewhat cooled by thermal conduction through the wall. Since the product 40 is supported directly against the wall, it will be maintained at a temperature below ambient. This arrangement is particularly suitable for use with candy bars and the like which become too firm or brittle when stored inside a refrigerated compartment. When the rack 20 is mounted on the outside face of a wall, it is preferred that at least the back panel 21 be transparent so that advertising, graphics and the like displayed on the product may be readily visible through the back panel 21.

[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the compartments 29 formed by back panel 21, end panel 25 and shelves 26 are substantially rectangular and adapted to support elongated product 40 on each of shelves 26. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the back panel 21 comprises a series of arcuate sections 31 joined at their ends with a front panel 32 which defines complimentary arcuate sections 33. Thus, the arcuate sections 31 and 33 define cylindrical compartments 29. In FIG. 3 the face of the back panel 21 is formed by arcuate sections and shelves 26 are formed by the joined upper and lower ends of the arcuate sections 31. As illustrated in FIG. 4 each cylindrical compartment 29 is at least partially enclosed by an end panel 25 so that each cylindrical compartment 29 is effectively closed at one end.

[0024] The front panel 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is provided with slots for attachment of supporting means such as suction cups 50 or the like. As with the embodiment of FIG. 2, the rack 60 of FIG. 4 may be secured to a wall such as door 10 by other means such as adhesives or the like and, where the wall is appropriately constructed, by screws, bolts, etc.

[0025] It should be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 3 the compartments 29 are cylindrical and, therefore, may be particularly adapted for use in connection with cylindrical containers such as cans, bottles and the like. Ordinarily, the size of the cylindrical compartment 29 is uniquely formed to fit a particular product or container.

[0026] Where the compartment 29 is cylindrical as in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the front face of the compartment is covered by a front panel 32 and is not open to the supporting wall as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. However, since the compartment 29 is cylindrical and snuggly fits the product 40, the ends of elongated products 40 may be fit into the cylindrical compartments 29 so that a major portion of each product 40 projects from the compartment 29. Accordingly, graphics 41 and the like on the product 40 are still positioned to be visible through door 10.

[0027] The size of racks 20, 60 and the shape of compartments 29 formed therein may be customized to accommodate a particular product to be displayed. If desired, the racks may be formed with interconnection means for attaching two or more racks in a vertical arrangement. For example, the rack 60 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) includes a key 51 formed on one end thereof and adapted to mate with a key slot 52 on the opposite end thereof. It will be recognized that two such racks 60 may thus be joined together by inserting the key 51 on a first rack into the key slot 52 on a second rack to connect and interlock the racks together as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0028] Since front panel 32 of rack 60 is used to form one side of the cylindrical compartments 29, the end portion of product 40 inserted into the cylindrical compartment 29 may not be clearly visible through door 10. However, advertising material may be positioned on the opposite face the door (the outside face of door 10 when rack 60 is inside a vault). Such advertising material may be in the form of an adhesive strip 53 or the like which is secured directly to the door 10 opposite the rack 60. The advertising material strip 53 may be placed immediately opposite and in register with the front panel 32 (as shown in FIG. 5) so that it conceals the support means 50. Alternatively, advertising strip 53 may be placed at locations on the door 10 removed from the rack or product displayed therein to utilize door space which does not obstruct the view of other products.

[0029] It will be apparent from the foregoing that the principles of the invention may be used to form vertical displays of elongated products such as bottles, cans, candy bars and the like so that the vertical display is visible through a transparent wall or the like. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the structure and function of the invention, this disclosure is to be considered illustrative only. Various changes and modifications may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, arrangement and combination of parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A rack for supporting and displaying elongated products in a vertically disposed array adjacent one face of a substantially vertical wall comprising: (a) a back panel having a face lying in a first substantially vertical plane and defining a lower edge and first and second laterally opposed end edges; (b) an end panel lying in a substantially vertical plane substantially normal to and intersecting said first vertical plane substantially adjacent said first end edge of the back panel; and (c) a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed shelves substantially adjacent said back panel and said end panel spaced vertically from and substantially parallel with each other to define a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically arranged compartments having an open end and an opposite end effectively closed by said end panel.
 2. A rack as defined in claim 1 wherein said shelves are substantially flat.
 3. A rack as defined in claim 1 wherein said shelves are substantially curved and shaped to accept a cylindrical product disposed substantially horizontally.
 4. A rack as defined in claim 3 wherein said back panel comprises a series of interconnected arcuate portions.
 5. A rack as defined in claim 4 including a front panel disposed opposite said back panel which cooperates with said arcuate portions to define shelves which are substantially cylindrical.
 6. A rack as defined in claim 1 wherein said rack includes a support flange spaced from and extending substantially parallel with said back panel.
 7. A rack as defined in claim 6 wherein said support flange extends substantially the full vertical height of said rack.
 8. A rack as defined in claim 1 including interconnecting structure for connecting one end of one such rack to the opposite end of another such rack.
 9. A rack as defined in claim 8 wherein said interconnecting structure comprises a key at one end of such rack which mates with a key slot at the other end of such rack.
 10. A rack as defined in claim 9 wherein said key and key slot are aligned parallel with the face of said back panel.
 11. A display assembly comprising: (a) a wall with first and second opposed major faces arranged substantially vertically and defining a substantially vertically extending edge; and (b) a rack for supporting and displaying elongated products in a vertically disposed array adjacent one face of said wall comprising: (i) a back panel having a face lying in a plane substantially parallel with and spaced from the first major face of said wall and defining a lower edge and first and second laterally opposed end edges; (ii) an end panel disposed between said first major face and the substantially vertical plane of the face of said back panel near one end edge of said back panel; and (iii) a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed shelves supported between said back panel and said first major face spaced vertically from and substantially parallel with each other to define a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically arranged compartments having an open end opposite said end panel.
 12. A display assembly as defined in claim 11 including pivot means supporting said wall for rotation about a vertical axis parallel with said substantially vertically extending edge.
 13. A display assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said end panel is oriented toward said vertical axis.
 14. A display assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said wall separates a refrigerated vault from ambient environment.
 15. A display assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said wall is substantially transparent and said rack is supported inside the vault.
 16. A display assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said rack is supported on the wall outside the vault.
 17. A display assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said wall is substantially transparent.
 18. A display assembly as defined in claim 17 including advertising material secured to the opposite face of said wall.
 19. A display assembly as defined in claim 18 wherein said advertising material is secured to said opposite face of said wall in register with a portion of said rack.
 20. A display rack comprising: (a) a front panel extending in a substantially vertical plane; (b) a plurality of parallel cylindrical compartments supported horizontally on said front panel; and (c) means for securing said front panel to one face of a substantially vertical wall.
 21. A display assembly comprising: (a) a substantially transparent wall with first and second opposed major faces; and (b) a rack for supporting and displaying elongated products horizontally in a vertically disposed array adjacent one face of said wall wherein said rack defines a plurality of elongated compartments, each having a substantially closed end and a substantially open end, disposed horizontally and arranged in a vertical array.
 22. A display assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said rack comprises: (i) a front panel secured adjacent one major face of said substantially transparent wall; and (ii) a plurality of parallel cylindrical compartments supported horizontally on said front panel.
 23. A display assembly as defined in claim 22 including advertising material secured to the opposite face of said substantially transparent wall.
 24. A display assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said substantially transparent wall forms at least part of a door.
 25. A display assembly as defined in claim 21 including an elongated product supported in and extending from the open end of at least one of said compartments.
 26. A display assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said substantially transparent wall forms at least part of one wall of a refrigerated vault. 